Fundraising During the Holiday Season
With the day to day commitments we all face, fundraising can sometimes be relegated to the back burner when more time sensitive things come up like skating lessons, a big project due at work and the magic pile of laundry that never seems to get smaller, only bigger! This can be even more so in December when Christmas concerts, office parties and gift buying get added to the mix. So what can you do to stay on top of your fundraising during the festive season?
Integrate fundraising into your holiday planning! December can be a great time to actually increase your funds raised while getting into the Christmas spirit at the same time!
Do friends and family keep asking what you want for Christmas? Make it simple – suggest a donation to your fundraising campaign in lieu of a gift (this is also great for birthdays and anniversaries too). You get a contribution towards your exciting adventure, they get a tax receipt and the Association has more funds to support research and education. It’s a gift that gives in three ways!
Wondering how you are going to find the time to prepare all the food needed for your annual, holiday open house or New Year’s Eve bash? Turn it into a potluck fundraiser! Ask friends to bring a finger food dish of their choice along with a donation. Get a few door prizes that reflect the destination of your Team Diabetes event and draw names from all who attend.
Love to sing? Gather a few friends together and go Christmas caroling in your neighbourhood. Ask for a donation after signing a carol or two at each house. Looking for a bigger audience? Check out the street busking by-laws in your local municipality to see if you can set up on a busy shopping corner one afternoon or evening or check with a local shopping centre to see if they have space available.
Love to bake and can whip up 5 dozen mince tarts, 6 fruit cakes and a few trifles while barely breaking a sweat? Help out those that don’t have the time or perhaps the skill to make homemade goodies themselves. Have a bake sale at work or let friends and family know you’ll take custom orders – they cover the cost of the ingredients as well as make a donation for your time. Their December will be more relaxed and you’ll be closer to reaching your goal!
Integrate some of these ideas or others into your fundraising plan and remember to update and review it regularly. This will keep your fundraising activities, deadlines and goals top of mind.
These are just a few of the many ways you can turn what you love to do into donations in support of a cause that is important to you. Looking for more ideas? Join us for our free, fundraising webinars, check out past editions of Pacesetter and connect with other fundraisers on the Team Diabetes facebook page!